The East African bloc on Thursday condemned the suicide attack that took place in the offices of Mogadishu's mayor on Wednesday which left seven government officials dead with the mayor among those injured.

Ads By Google

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) expressed sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and wishes speedy recovery to those wounded.

"IGAD condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Al-Shabab against the Mayor's Office in Mogadishu yesterday, which left a number of innocent civilians dead and others wounded, including the city's Mayor," the bloc said in a statement.

The eight-member regional bloc reiterated its support and solidarity with the people and government as they continue to fight the scourge of terrorism and strive towards achieving lasting peace and stability.

The statement comes after minister for information Mohamed Abdi Mareye confirmed three district commissioners, two directors and legal advisor were killed in the attack.

Mareye said a suicide bomber who targeted the weekly security meeting chaired by the mayor of Mogadishu, Abdirahman Omar Osman detonated explosives which were strapped in the waist.

The militant group which has been fighting the Western-backed Somali government claimed responsibility for the attack, saying their target was the UN envoy who they believe was inside the mayor's compound at the time of attack.

Despite being driven out of Mogadishu, the militant group still stages guerrilla-style assaults and bomb attacks to drive out AU mission's troops from Somalia and impose its harsh version of Islamic law across the Horn of Africa nation.